Trusting The Catcher

Have you ever watched trapeze artists soaring through the air, making it all look like a breathtaking dance? Well, there's more to it than meets the eye – a lesson that Rodleigh Stevens from The Flying Rodleigh's troupe shared with writer Henri Nouwen: "I've got to find the right balance between difficulty and control while building our routine smartly." (Flying, Falling, Catching: An Unlikely Story of Finding Freedom, Carolyn Whitney-Brown and Henri Nouwen).

Rodleigh's wisdom isn't just for the circus. Nouwen discovered that it speaks to the lives of Christians as well. Just like these artists seek harmony between daring feats and safety, we try to balance life's challenges with our need for security in God.

Nouwen observed, after relentlessly watching The Flying Rodleighs, that we cannot avoid life's struggles, but we can trust the safety of God’s care. Scriptures remind us that trials will come (James 1:2-3), but “trusting the Lord means safety” (Proverbs 29:25)

As the high flyers on the trapeze trust their catchers, may we who follow Jesus declare with the Psalmist, “But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands.” (Psalms 31:14-15)

Duke Stone
After 40 years in full-time ministry, I try to see how the little things in life speak big things about God. This blog is an attempt to share with you the many ways I see the love of God in the ordinary things of life.